Promoting Diversity and Inclusion With Employee Leaders

At Nielsen, our employee resource groups (ERGs) play a crucial role in fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness. And with more than 100 ERG chapters in 70% of the countries where we operate and more than 8,000 associates belonging to an ERG, they have a big effect. These groups are catalysts to cultivating an inclusive environment where employees create, innovate and provide useful solutions that connect fellow colleagues, clients, consumers and communities.

For the ninth year in a row, we’ve hosted an annual ERG Leadership Summit to support our ERG leaders and showcase the importance of having associates of diverse backgrounds recognized and included for the overall success of the company. At this year’s two-day conference, diversity best practices, professional development, and goal-setting were front and center.

During the event, sessions covered a range of topics from business updates to leadership and career development. In a c-suite interview session moderated by Chief Communications Officer Laura Nelson, Nielsen CEO Mitch Barns and CFO Jamere Jackson discussed the importance of ERGs to Nielsen and its business. Both Mitch and Jamere shared a mix of personal reflections and notes on the state of the business, as well as a call to action for our employees to continue to connect the ERGs to their everyday roles. This session proved to be an attendee favorite, with ERG leaders sharing they felt connected to the c-suite afterwards. Client panelists from across our practice areas also attended the event and shared their companies’ diversity and inclusion best practices with attendees.

“ERGs are an integral part of our overall D&I [diversity and inclusion) strategy,” said Sherri Dublin, Vice President, Diversity Programs. “These groups are an important resource to leverage and drive innovation, as well as support our business through talent engagement.”

During the summit, MOSAIC (Multinational Organization Supporting an Inclusive Culture), which launched this month in the U.K., made its formal debut to the Nielsen ERG family as part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Also, the SABLE (Sustaining Active Black Leadership and Engagement) and PRIDE (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies) ERGs each celebrated their 10-year anniversaries as Nielsen ERGs. (HOLA [Hispanic Organization of Leaders in Action] is our oldest ERG and celebrated 10 years in 2016.) Learn more about Nielsen’s ERGs and other diversity and inclusion initiatives.